PORT RICHEY, Fla. — In a quiet Port Richey neighborhood, Karen Peyton has lived in her home for more than 20 years and doesn’t want to leave — this is where she wants to live out the rest of her days.

But she says the dramatic increase of homeowners insurance rates in Florida is making that difficult.

What You Need To Know

  • Florida ranks as having some of the worst homeowners insurance rates in the country 

  • Homeowner Karen Peyton said her rates jumped from $2,800 to more than $5,400 in a single year 

  • Peyton said she had to come out of retirement to help pay for the spike in her homeowners insurance 

“It’s home," Peyton said. "It's my home and I’ve been happy here."

Peyton said she is on a fixed income and retired some years back, but because of skyrocketing homeowners insurance she has had to come out of retirement and take on a new job to help make up for the rising rates she pays.

“I’ve been able to afford to keep (my home) but it's getting more and more difficult,” she said.

Peyton has seen her rates go from $2,800 in 2021 to nearly $5,400 this year.

Multiple studies show that Florida ranks as having the highest insurance rates in the nation. Insurance agency Insurify found the average premium to be $7,788 in 2022.

“I understand people thinking, 'Well if it's costing you that much to live and you can’t insure it, you know, just get something,'" Peyton said. "Yup, I could but I wouldn’t feel as happy and content as I do here."

Peyton — who is determined to stay in her home — said that she would love to see lawmakers take on the insurance companies to stop the dramatic price hikes Floridians have seen recently.